Rainfall distribution variability controls surface but not belowground litter decomposition in a semi-arid shrubland.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Rainfall patterns are expected to become increasingly erratic as a result of global climate change, with more intense but less frequent rainfall events leading to an increased occurrence of drought events. This process may lead to significant declines in vegetation cover and subsequent increases in soil erosion, consequently accelerating the bury of detached litter by soil deposition and the mixture of residues from different plant species. Responses of litter decomposition to increasing rainfall variability in distribution and subsequent litter mixing or soil cover have scarcely received attention.

Methods

To fill this gap in our knowledge, we analyzed the influence of rainfall variability, soil cover, and litter mixing on shrub-species litter decomposition in

SUBMITTER: Li Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11839210 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature